In this conversation, Sid Sarasvati shares his journey from being an international student to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the U.S. He discusses the complexities of navigating the H1B visa process, the challenges faced by founders on work visas, and the importance of understanding legal compliance when starting a business. Co-founder Ercan Özer joins to share his perspective on building a company across borders and the dynamics of their partnership. The discussion also covers various visa options, the significance of having a solid business plan, and strategies for generating revenue in a competitive market.
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Takeaways
Sid's journey from F1 to self-sponsoring his H1B.
The importance of sharing experiences and information among founders.
Visa challenges can be navigated with the right knowledge.
Founding a company while on an H1B is legal and possible.
Co-founding with someone who can bet on themselves is crucial.
Understanding the legal requirements for H1B sponsorship is essential.
Distribution is a key challenge for consumer-focused businesses.
Building a business entity is possible from anywhere in the world.
Having a solid business plan is necessary for H1B applications.
The connection between co-founders develops organically over time.
Chapters
00:00 Sponsoring My Own H1B: Challenges and Misconceptions
02:49 Navigating the EB2 and EB3 Backlog as an H1B Visa Holder
04:46 Starting a Company on an H1B Visa: Compliance and Payroll Considerations
08:56 Exploring Alternative Visa Options: The O1 Visa
12:29 Recommended HR Tool for Payroll and Compliance: Gusto
12:35 My Personal Journey: Filing for EB2, Starting a Company, and Obtaining a Green Card
13:52 Navigating the EAD and Advanced Parole Process
14:17 Qualifying Businesses for Startup Visas
14:59 Requirements for Filing an H1B through a Company
16:42 Challenges of Self-Sponsoring an H1B
25:29 The Importance of Finding a Co-Founder
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